Lusaka, Zambia — Maxwell Chongo, the national youth chairperson of the Citizens First party, has been taken to court by a widow and her son over allegations that he fraudulently seized their late relative’s property and secretly transferred ownership into his name.
In a statement of claim filed at the Lusaka High Court, Priscillar Ng’ambi, widow of the late Frank Ng’ambi, and her son Chilumba Ng’ambi, acting as administrators of the estate, have sued Chongo, his wife Rozyna Mumba, the Commissioner of Lands, the Attorney General, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The plaintiffs allege that Chongo fraudulently changed the ownership of Property No. L/12576/M/C, which belonged to the late Frank Ng’ambi. According to court documents, the family only discovered the alleged fraud when they conducted a search at the Ministry of Lands. The land register reportedly showed that Chongo had purchased the property and had been issued a certificate of title.
The court filing further states that Chongo’s wife, Rozyna Mumba, placed a caveat on the property claiming to be an “intending purchaser.” The ACC had also placed a restriction notice on the title, flagging the manner in which Chongo allegedly acquired it. While the ACC initially investigated, the matter was later taken over by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), which now holds the relevant ownership documents.
Before the alleged illegal transfer, the family claims they were collecting K14,259 monthly in rent from students occupying the house. They assert that the tenants have continued residing there but have been paying rent to Chongo for the past 62 months, amounting to K883,500—a sum the plaintiffs are now seeking to recover.
The administrators are seeking several court orders. They want the caveat and the ACC restriction notice removed and the certificate of title issued to Chongo cancelled, with the property reverted to the estate. They are demanding payment of K883,500 for the rental income allegedly collected by Chongo, along with damages for fraudulent acquisition of title. The family has also requested an interim injunction to stop Chongo and his wife from collecting further rent and is seeking interest on all claimed amounts.
The case highlights serious allegations of property grabbing and exploitation of vulnerable families, now set for judicial scrutiny in the Lusaka High Court.
